Retaj Al Rayyan

The hotel's signature feature is its direct beach access, providing complimentary vouchers and towels for guests, making it an ideal choice for leisure travelers and families seeking a relaxing seaside escape. Guests consistently highlight the spacious rooms, excellent location, and the generally friendly staff as key positives. The hotel is also well-suited for business travelers due to its proximity to the DECC and the diplomatic area. While many appreciate the comfortable accommodations and overall value, some guests note that certain areas of the hotel could benefit from updates. To enhance your stay, it is advisable to clarify your room type and view preference upon booking, as some guests experienced discrepancies.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers convenient beach access with complimentary vouchers and towels, a significant draw for many guests. While there is a swimming pool, some visitors found it to be small and occasionally noted issues with its heating or cleanliness, including the surrounding passage. The fitness center is available for guests, and Wi-Fi is provided, though some experienced slow internet speeds. Guests appreciate the availability of water bottles daily in rooms. However, some elevators were described as needing renovation and appeared dirty. Other amenities mentioned include a washing machine and kitchenette in some suites, and a lack of clear instructions for the safe box. The hotel does not offer currency exchange.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room comfort is mixed, with many praising the spacious rooms and comfortable beds that ensure a restful sleep. However, a significant number of reviews indicate that the furniture is old and the rooms are in need of renovation, with mentions of stained walls and general wear. While housekeeping is generally responsive, some guests reported inconsistent cleaning standards, including unvacuumed floors and missing towels or toiletries. Bathrooms were frequently cited as being old, with issues such as small bathtubs, loose toilet lids, and a lack of a floor drain, leading to water stagnation. Some guests also noted poor soundproofing, leading to noise from adjacent rooms or elevators.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast receives varied feedback, with many guests describing it as delicious, opulent, and offering a wide selection, particularly highlighting the omelette station. However, some found the breakfast options to be limited, repetitive, or lacking in freshness, especially the bread. The room service is generally considered good, though some guests experienced slow response times. The hotel offers buffet options for lunch and dinner, with some themed nights receiving praise for their variety and authenticity. Conversely, other guests found the dinner and lunch buffets to be basic, with excessive spices or a lack of fresh juice and drinks. Some long-stay guests reported a persistent cooking smell in their rooms.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location, highly praised by guests for its convenience. It is situated directly across from the beach, offering easy and complimentary access. The hotel is also conveniently close to the Metro station (DECC) and the City Center Mall, making shopping and transportation easily accessible. Its position in the diplomatic area and proximity to the Corniche are also highlighted as advantages. For those arriving by air, the hotel is a short drive from the airport. Parking is available, though some guests noted that ground parking slots are limited, requiring valet service for underground parking, and there is a lack of shaded parking.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Many guests highlighted the attentive service from reception, valet, and housekeeping teams, noting their willingness to assist with requests and provide local information. The check-in and check-out process is generally described as quick and smooth. However, there were instances of uncooperative staff regarding room changes or early check-in requests, leading to frustration for some guests. While most experiences were positive, a few guests reported issues with specific service areas, such as unprofessional spa staff or slow responses from housekeeping regarding missing amenities.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel has received feedback regarding room assignment discrepancies, where booked room types or views were not initially provided, leading to misunderstandings upon arrival. Some rooms have reported issues with the air conditioning, being excessively cold with no apparent way to regulate the temperature from within the room. The internet speed was also a point of concern for some, described as slow and inefficient. While the hotel is generally well-maintained, some reviews suggest that the overall aesthetic and certain fixtures reflect its age, indicating a need for broader updates beyond individual room renovations. Specific requests, such as for a crib, were occasionally not fulfilled promptly.